Federal PS pump-it-down mod?

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I'm rebuilding the leaky Federal power steering pump on my 68 Barracuda/318. I figured while I'm in there I would see if I could de-power it like they do on the Saginaw pumps. Does anyone know if changing the shims on the bypass section of the flow control valve will work? Or do I need to attack the spring pressure of the flow control valve itself? If I have to change the spring pressure, would I want more or less?
Thanks for any help.
 
I have not heard of any modifications to the pump. Modifications on a Mopar are done in the box. You will need a pro with the right parts and a machine shop.
 
Murray said:
I have not heard of any modifications to the pump. Modifications on a Mopar are done in the box. You will need a pro with the right parts and a machine shop.
Click to expand...

I've heard of reducing the pulley diameter to accomplish this. Seems to me to be a safer deal.
 
Top Down said:
I'm rebuilding the leaky Federal power steering pump on my 68 Barracuda/318. I figured while I'm in there I would see if I could de-power it like they do on the Saginaw pumps. Does anyone know if changing the shims on the bypass section of the flow control valve will work? Or do I need to attack the spring pressure of the flow control valve itself? If I have to change the spring pressure, would I want more or less?
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

Why? Do you not prefer the way it feels as is?
 
jbc426 said:
Why? Do you not prefer the way it feels as is?
Click to expand...
No, I believe it feels over boosted, especially at highway speeds. Probably was OK with belted tires, but Radials make it feel worse nowadays. Figured that while it is apart I may as well try playing with pressures.
 
Top Down said:
I'm rebuilding the leaky Federal power steering pump on my 68 Barracuda/318. I figured while I'm in there I would see if I could de-power it like they do on the Saginaw pumps. Does anyone know if changing the shims on the bypass section of the flow control valve will work? Or do I need to attack the spring pressure of the flow control valve itself? If I have to change the spring pressure, would I want more or less?
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
I have not heard of this being done on a federal pump. Do you know what the output/relief pressure was before the rebuild?
 
GMachineDartGT said:
I have not heard of this being done on a federal pump. Do you know what the output/relief pressure was before the rebuild?
Click to expand...
No, That never occured to me before disassembling the pump, but I should have plumbed in a pressure gauge to check before and after.
Post #12 gives me hope-I don't know how I skipped over it and assumed they were talking Saginaw, but I did. My pump has a fairly large stack of thin shims, not just a few washers so I think that I will add 50% to the stack height and see how it drives, then I will measure the pressure and go from there.
 
Use the shim method. It's a very popular method and very easy to do. Smaller pulley? Hogwash. You'll never feel the difference. Follow the link in post#4 and that's all you need to do. I completely agree that the stock Mopar power steering feels completely over boosted, to the point the a lot of road feel is lost.
 
Ya what he said! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
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